Five CSU playmakers to watch in NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl

It’s almost game time, Ram Nation!

For the third straight year, your Colorado State Rams football team is taking part in a bowl game as the inaugural NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl kicks off at 5:30 p.m. MT on Tuesday evening. The green and gold face a familiar foe in the Nevada Wolf Pack of the Mountain West; but CSU doesn’t care who the opponent, they just want a victory.

In fact, Mike Bobo said “It’s really important to win the bowl game” about two weeks ago, and Ram fans couldn’t agree more.

So, how will the Rams win? They’ll need their biggest playmakers to step up and put on a show. Let’s take a look at which Colorado State players are primed to make an impact on the big game.

1. Rashard Higgins

Will this game be “Hollywood” Higgins’ CSU swan song? It could just be, as the junior may decide to graduate to the NFL in May. When we asked him on Dec. 17, Higgins said he hasn’t made a decision yet, but Rams fans should soak in every play the superstar is in on Tuesday.

And luckily for Colorado State backers, “Hollywood” loves playing against Nevada. Last season, he posted a 10-catch, 194-yard and two touchdown performance against the Wolf Pack. He knows from looking at film his matchup will be the same and can’t wait for the game to kickoff. Neither can his opponent, likely, as Higgins explained.

In 2013, Higgins caught two passes for 22 yards against Nevada in the Rams’ 38-17 romp which featured four touchdowns by Kapri Bibbs.

2. Joe Hansley

Hansley has been a senior leader of the offense all season long, and he’ll be needed on special teams as well in the bowl game. This season, we’ve seen “Super Joe” come up with sensational catches at big times; like his 49-yard touchdown from Coleman Key to tie Minnesota late in the game in the overtime loss. And against Fresno State, the Rams offense was inept in the first half, but Hansley carried the team to two touchdowns on punt returns to bring the game to 14-24 at halftime in a game the Rams would rally to win.

While Higgins is the No. 1 receiver, Hansley is the safety valve quarterback Nick Stevens must find throughout the game for first downs and possibly a touchdown or two. He caught four passes for 57 yards in 2014 against Nevada and led the Rams with six catches for 69 yards in 2013.

3. Kivon Cartwright

Kivon Cartwright is finally feeling right, as in healthy. Bobo talked about it during the lead-up to the bowl game during practice and Higgins even told the redshirt senior to shake the rust off. Ram fans are hoping the tight end is up to his usual playmaking self, and he could be the x-factor on that side of the ball. Against New Mexico, he caught a touchdown as part of the win and the Rams offense is consistently more versatile with him in the game at full health.

4. Izzy Matthews

Matthews, a freshman, looks anything but that. He’s been dynamic, dominant, a bulldozer against opponents. Especially late in games. Not only is he “The Closer” in contests, but Matthews closed the season strong, too. Against New Mexico – Colorado State’s second to last game of the regular season – Matthews carried the rock for a career-high 89 yards and one score. Then, he followed that with another career-high in the win over Fresno State, with 18 carries for 140 yards and another touchdown. And don’t forget his two-touchdown performance against Wyoming to keep the Bronze Boot in Fort Collins.

When we talked to players on Dec. 17, Dalyn Dawkins was injured with a wrap on his lower leg.

Dawkins has been the starting back all season long and depending on his health, Matthews will be relied upon even more than usual.

5. Kevin Pierre-Louis

Not every playmaker can come from the offensive side, and safety Kevin Pierre-Louis will be important on Tuesday night on the defensive unit for Colorado State. His safety mate Trent Matthews tore his MCL and Matthews’ career came to an end following the end of the regular season, making KPL’s performance even more important. Pierre-Louis has been the hardest hitting defensive back throughout 2015, striking opposing offensive players while striking fear in their hearts. KPL was second on the team in total tackles with 82 with one interception and a forced fumble as well. He’s got to be the Rams punisher, but also use his experience to read which play the Wolf Pack are running out of that pistol formation, among others.

Colorado State (7-5) and Nevada (6-6) kick off in the inaugural NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 29 at 5:30 p.m. MT. For those not in attendance, you can follow along through twitter and/or watch on FOX.